Serum Branched Chain Amino Acids Are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Jordan / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a global public health problem that is caused by the lack of insulin secretion (type 1) or resistance to its action (type 2). A low insulin-to-glucagon ratio predicts an increase in the serum levels of branched chain amino acids, a feature confirmed in several populations. This relationship has not been assessed in Jordan. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between serum branched chain amino acids and type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients in Jordan. METHODS: Two hundred type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and an additional 200 non-diabetic controls were recruited. Age, body mass index, and waist circumference of the subjects were recorded. Branched chain amino acid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured from the collected serum samples. RESULTS: Serum branched chain amino acid levels were significantly higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients than in non-diabetes individuals (P < 0.0001). In binomial regression analysis, serum branched chain amino acid levels remained significantly associated with diabetes mellitus and increased its risk (odds ratio, 1.004; 95% confidence interval, 1.001–1.006; P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with higher branched chain amino acid levels in Jordan independent of age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, and total serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels.

Evaluation of family planning counselling in North Jordan

Objectives: Counselling plays a key role in enhancing reproductive services, providing contraception related information and supporting long-term family planning for women of childbearing age. This study aimed to evaluate family planning counselling sessions in selected governmental and private clinics in northern Jordan

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2016 in Irbid, Jordan. A total of 200 women attending two private clinics affiliated with the Jordanian Association for Family Planning and Protection [JAFPP] and six governmental clinics were invited to participate in the study. Counselling sessions were attended by an independent observer and evaluated with regards to their compliance with the standard Greet, Ask, Tell, Help, Explain, Return [GATHER] framework

Results: A total of 198 women participated in the study [response rate: 99.0%], including 80 women [40.4%] from JAFPP clinics and 118 [59.6%] from governmental clinics. In total, 42.9% of the counselling sessions were deemed adequate, with providers applying 80% or more of the GATHER framework, while 26.8% of the sessions were deemed semi-adequate and 30.3% were considered inadequate. Counselling services provided in the governmental clinics were significantly less adequate than those provided in JAFPP clinics [P <0.001]

Conclusion: The quality of counselling services in governmental family planning centres in Jordan needs to be improved to ensure that women receive the highest possible level of care. Healthcare policymakers should therefore focus on developing and supporting effective family planning counselling services in northern Jordan